Iced Tea Recipe
Make Iced Tea Recipe in just 1h 30m. Get the full recipe with step-by-step instructions at pekinthechef.com.
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Ingredients
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Tea Base
Optional Mix-ins & Garnish
Method
Brew the Tea
Steep tea
Place 4 black tea bags (or equivalent loose leaf) into a heatproof pitcher. Pour the hot water over the tea and let steep for 4–5 minutes for a balanced strength. For stronger tea, steep up to 7 minutes but avoid oversteeping to prevent bitterness.
Sweeten while hot
Remove the tea bags (or strain leaves). While the tea is still hot, stir in 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (or 2 tablespoons simple syrup) until fully dissolved. This ensures even sweetness. Taste and adjust—add more sugar or syrup if you prefer sweeter iced tea.
Add lemon
Stir in 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice to brighten the flavor. Omit or reduce if you prefer a more neutral tea.
Cool & Serve
Cool to room temperature
Allow the sweetened tea to cool to room temperature (about 20–30 minutes). Leaving it uncovered for a few minutes helps steam escape and speeds cooling.
Chill
Once cooled to room temperature, transfer the pitcher to the refrigerator and chill for at least 1 hour until cold. If you're short on time, pour the tea over a glass filled with ice to cool immediately (this will slightly dilute the tea).
Serve
Pour the chilled tea over the ice-filled glasses. Taste and, if needed, stir in additional simple syrup or a squeeze of lemon to adjust sweetness and acidity. Garnish with extra lemon slices or mint sprigs and serve immediately.
Storage
Store any leftover iced tea covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If separation or cloudiness occurs, stir before serving.